Valve staff shut doors to escape Gabe Newell’s throat singing obsession
It turns out that even the most legendary figures in the tech world occasionally indulge in the delightfully absurd. For Valve co-creator and boss Gabe Newell, the intersection of high-level corporate management and ancient Mongolian vocal techniques led to an unforgettable, and undeniably hilarious, office experience.
Game consultant Indie Game Joe recently shared an anecdote about Newell’s period of fascination with Mongolian throat singing. According to the story, Newell became so captivated by the vocal technique that he decided to practice it right there in the Valve corporate offices. The result? His attempts to practice the mesmerizing art form, often while walking down the hallways, led to a rather memorable disruption.
For those unfamiliar with the practice, Mongolian throat singing, known as Khöömei, is a unique vocal technique primarily associated with the Tuvan people. It involves using circular breathing to produce two or more notes simultaneously, creating an impressively complex sound solely from the throat.
When Newell started practicing this technique amongst his colleagues, the change in office atmosphere was immediate. Imagine walking down a corridor only to be accompanied by a low, resonant vocalization. Employees quickly grew quite annoyed, leading them to resort to closing their doors to escape the noise. The result was an office that, for a short time, became quite conspicuously quiet, a testament to a truly unique corporate distraction.
This peculiar chapter in Newell’s career wasn’t isolated. Other veteran employees also recalled this phase, adding another layer of absurdity to the story. For instance, senior developer Charlie Brown noted that while the office was usually vibrant and loud with staff riding scooters, Gabe was regularly practicing his throat singing, making him the resident “Tuvan throat singer.”
The story has since gone viral, generating countless jokes and memes. Fans have affectionately dubbed Newell “Gabe-is Khan” and joked that he must have truly yearned for the steppe while in the midst of his corporate life. This amusing tale is perhaps the most lighthearted footnote to the vast, complex world of Valve’s history.
It’s a reminder that even the titans of industry have quirky, human sides, making these unexpected moments the most enduring stories.
Buy on Amazon
Credit
